Hamilton draws inspiration from Nadal's Wimbledon victory

HOCKENHEIM, Germany -- Lewis Hamilton has found an unlikely source of inspiration to take Sunday's German Grand Prix: Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal.

The McLaren driver said Thursday that Nadal's epic victory over Roger Federer for title of the Grand Slam tournament earlier this month had increased his determination to win Formula One's world championship.

"(Nadal) had even more hunger, and I think it is impossible to match that once you have done something a lot of times," said Hamilton, referring to Federer's streak of five straight titles at the All England Club that the Spaniard snapped. "Nadal had never tasted it, and for me I can probably identify with his hunger to win that first title."

Hamilton listened to the final moments of Nadal's victory over the radio as he returned home following his victory at the British GP that same day. Hamilton missed out on F1's championship by a single point in his rookie season last year.

"That hunger within me is definitely greater this year after what happened to me last year," the 23-year-old Briton said.

Hamilton is tied with Ferrari pair Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen atop the overall standings with 48 points, but leads thanks to the tiebreak.